January 14, 2013

Though we are two weeks into the new year, resolutions are still heavily on my mind. I do my best to improve myself in all aspects of my life on a daily basis (I mean, really, why procrastinate until tomorrow or the new year?), but there's something about the symbolism of a "new year" that makes it easier to plan, schedule, and fulfill personal goals. Despite that, the culture of "resolutions" can seem taxing and even oppressive at times, and there's so much language about how you need to improve (your mind, your body, your entire existence), that it can be a challenge to remember the things that we do love about ourselves.

After all, it is much easier to scrutinize than celebrate the many beautiful and exciting things about who we are. Your waistline isn't tiny enough. Your salary isn't big enough. Most of us (and I'm not exception) could probably come up with a laundry list about things we would change about our character and physicality and professional development. And why is it that it's so much easier to dwell on the negative (or even go searching for it, and creating "negatives" out of things that aren't even all that bad) in the first place?And what about the myriad of wonderful things about ourselves?

I love my positive outlook on life.

I love that I can find humor in nearly all situations.

I love my ability to connect with people of all types of backgrounds.

I love how open I am to new individuals and situations and places.

I love my legs. No "but," I just love my legs.

I love that I am sensitive to others and perceptive of how they are feeling.

I love my multicultural background and how it has given me a unique perspective on people and places and the world.

I love how honest and genuine I am. I used to think I was "honest to a fault," but I'm starting to believe it's only a good thing.

I love my eyes, big and open and one of the only visible markings of my ethnic heritage.

I love my family - both chosen and of origin. I love how they've made me into the woman I am, and I love what I can give back to them.

I love that I can allow myself to feel vulnerable at times, and let me feelings move from mind to pen to paper.

I love that I can put a great outfit together and walk out my door feeling amazing about myself.

This is all a very long way of saying that I hope you, too, are able to use this time of renewal and reflection to not just scrutinize and critique, but also take stock and inventory of all your amazing qualities, too. Maybe it's your lips or the way you make your favorite family recipe. Maybe it's your math skills or the way you walk in heels. Whatever it is, I hope you are taking full note and reminding yourself that it's there. And best of all, Simply Be also hopes you're celebrating YOU. PS: If you're not familiar, Simply Be is an e-commerce supersite that specializes in fashion in sizes 10+, (but there is truly something for everyone).In partnership with Simply Be, we're offering what is absolutely the best giveaway I've done, to date. Three winners, from across the US (48-contiguous states only), will be flown out to NYC for a weekend of fun. All you have to do to enter is create a Board on Pinterest celebrating YOU, and comment below with a link to the pin board! That is it! (Hint: You can also hashtag your pins with #celebrateyou #nicolettemason or #simplybe so we can track your pins as they're published!)

What's up for grabs?

A weekend trip to NYC (all expensespaid!)

Styling session with moi, courtesy of Simply Be!

New clothes!

Wardrobe planning and strategizing!

A professional photo shoot!

Party with some of your favorite blogging darlings!

AND SO MUCH MORE! I promise!

The winners will be announced on (or around!) January 22, 2013. Winners all must be available the weekend of February 2nd. We will curate our top 10 Pinterest boards and then use a random number generator to select three winners from the top 10.

This contest is sponsored by SimplyBe.com, and I am also being compensated for my participation. Contest winners will be announced on or around January 22, 2013. For detailed rules & regulations, please see the fine print below!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THE CONTEST (“CONTEST”) Entry into this Contest constitutes your acceptance
of these rules.

Contest
is only open to U.S. legal residents living in the continental U.S.
with a valid email address. Winners must be 18 years or older.
Contestants
must be available on February 2, 2013 to be in New York City.

All
Entries will be judged based on judges’ discretion. Winners will be
determined after the contest’s end date
and will be notified by email. At the discretion of Simply Be USA or
Nicolette Mason, the winners may be disqualified if they are not
eligible based on the requirements set forth above. In the event it is
determined that a winner has not complied with these
rules, has failed to execute and return any required documents within
the specified time period, has made false statements, or a prize
notification is returned as undeliverable, then the winner will be
disqualified and at the sole discretion of Simply Be USA
or Nicolette Mason, and an alternate winner may be chosen.

Winning
constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use Winner’s
name, images, hometown, likeness,
prize won, and photograph (all at Simply Be USA’s discretion) for
future advertising, publicity in any and all media now or hereafter
devised throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional
compensation, notification or permission.UPDATE: The winners have been contacted directly, and I cannot wait to meet them (and introduce you to them, too), this weekend!

270 comments:

Wow that's such a fantastic idea. I love this, and I love that it's making people celebrate themselves. I cannot enter because I live in Canada, but good luck to everyone that does! And I have even more respect for you (if possible) AND Simply Be for putting this on. Love it love it.

My Pinterest board is called "My Style", and has some of my favorite things...things I would LOVE to have! I love Simply Be because they have fashions for larger women that are not ready to wear boring clothes just because of their size. http://pinterest.com/purrplekat67/my-style/

Truthfully, I have a handful of resolutions but this is really nice and refreshing to see. I love that there are so many things you love about yourself. This list of things you love about yourself is a great exercise to boost one's mood so I may just have to give it a go!

Nicolette! What an AMAZING giveaway! I just started using Pinterest, and I'm so excited that one of my first boards is this one! I also really appreciate the chance to get to reflect on what I value about myself. It's not an easy exercise, but I loved doing it! http://pinterest.com/kdsooz/i-love-my/

This is such a lovely and beautiful contest. So inspiring and so much fun to find things that inspire me. Here is my board! It has things that inspire me, make me feel beautiful, make me laugh, and everything in between. http://pinterest.com/piccadillytown/who-i-am/

I love this contest!!!! Here is my board: http://pinterest.com/lyssacurran/celebrating-me-my-simplybe-contest-entry/ . It is composed of all things that make up me - my love of food, travel, cats, fashion and writing. I also threw in some of my favorite motivational gems in there because sometimes we all need a little more to celebrate :)

I'm a little surprised by how much I loved making my new board! As I pinned things it made me really feel special - l loved thinking about the things that make me ME! Now I'm walking around with a smile on my face!

I am so excited about this! What an amazing giveaway! I have no idea how to Pinterest, so this was good practice. Here's my board: https://pinterest.com/stylezero/celebrateyou-for-simplybe-and-nicolette-mason/

What a great contest! I had a lot of fun putting this together and I tried to include many different aspects of my positive life. :) http://pinterest.com/lunaselene86/rachel-s-celebration-through-the-years/

This is such a wonderful giveaway! I love the fact that you are celebrating strong, confident, beautiful people! I was excited to think about what I love about myself and the world! Here is my board: http://pinterest.com/slbrittany/love-the-life-you-have-been-given/

Ooohhhh now THAT is a great way to Celebrate ME for 2013!! GAH! Ok.. my board... http://pinterest.com/jkanebaby/2013-is-the-year-of-celebrating-me-celebrateyou-ni/. And I BLAME YOU for re-igniting my obsession with Pinterest. Damn it.

I'm Every woman-take two-is about my journey to a full recovery from a debilitating condition that a lot of people don't know about- peripheral neuropathy. Join me in my journey to fight it, as I use humour and sometimes sarcasm, but lots of prayer to overcome and CELEBRATE ME! YEAHHHH!!!!

This is such a great idea and I loved your points about why you love yourself. It is such a wonderful exercise to sit down and think about why we are spectacular. This Pinterest board, if for nothing else, will help to remind me of what I love about myself, and celebrating all of it. Link here: http://pinterest.com/laurenbhaber/celebrating-me/

What a wonderful competition (I wish I could enter!) But more than that, what a touching, heartfelt and moving post. I love all of these same things about you, and very similar things about myself. I find as I get older, it's easier to focus on the things I love (without condition) about myself, rather than to focus on that which I cannot change.

Please don't lost your love and optimism and rose-tinted outlook for one moment!

what a really nice way to celebrate what you have to be thankful for in the past to highlight just how exciting and promising the future truly is. thanks for the challenge ^.^ http://pinterest.com/alexandra_lily/simply-be-me-board/

Thank you so much! How fun this was. I put a bunch of pins that CELEBRATE ME and the things I love in life. I hope that is what you are looking for. I put the hashtags as you suggested :) http://pinterest.com/sonflowr/nicolettemason-simplybe-celebrateyou/

Wow this would make such a difference in how I would be able to represent myself. The style and thoughts and personality I want to project from just my personality to my clothes would be possible with this! But whomever wins this it will be such a great and positive experience, and that's what it truly wonderful.

I created a pinterest board just for this! Thanks for giving me a chance to show off. I have lots of pics of simply be pieces because theirs are some of my favorites. http://pinterest.com/fatshionplate/my-style/

What a fabulous giveaway! I am so excited at a chance to get some great style advice from you and Simplybe. I really love their bathing suits, they served me well this past summer and I can't wait to see what they have planned for swimwear this year.

I also enjoyed creating my board and reminding myself of what I don't need to change or resolve for the new year.

This is GREAT!! I wish we had a little more time to do this however.. I am to busy to whip this together in 3 days time. Sounds like a great giveaway.. Wish I could have participated! Cheers to whoever wins this!

This is amazing and I hope I am one of the lucky winners. I love photography, style, clothes, makeup, New York, trips to New York, shopping, purses and shoes New York; just to name a few interests I have. If I am picked I will make this adventure fun for you, me and the other two as well. I have embraced my age, body, & mind and feel great! Love to see you in February in NYC!!!

Please please pretty please me! I love your style and my post baby body (had my "meatza" 8 months ago) constantly fakes me out on what I can fit into/look good in. I need style guidance to embrace this awesome bod that made a wonderful baby boy/play up what's working and feel pulled together at work (or not hide from someone at grocery store). Here's a peak into where I'm at - putting this together made me smile - great contest! http://pinterest.com/allipal26/simply-allison/

Love doing this sort of thing especially with Pinterest, thanks for working with Simply Be (I have been shopping them quite a while). Go here to see pins that reflect me - http://pinterest.com/ablee/my-style/

What I could do with a makeover... I am 58 and living life to the fullest... have a wonderful husband, a 115 yr old house that we are fixing up when we can and 5 cats. Getting older doesn't mean being dull... I LOVE COLOR and wearing things that accentuate my blonde hair and brown eyes. Have bought so many cute things from Simply Be and everyone says... "Where did you get that"... I refuse to let Old Lady fashion take over...:) Here is my Pinterest Page: https://pinterest.com/xylleth/

If you are feeling like you may have over-indulged a bit over the holidays, or your New Year's Resolutions/Goals have to include the ever-present, no-fun "lose x pounds this year" ...Just stop and take a look at the PINTEREST page I created a few months ago, entitled "PLUS SIZE BEAUTY"...There is so much beauty in self confidence and liking who you are, at any size, shape or weight...Learn to love the skin you're in (an invaluable lesson) as these lovely ladies did: http://pinterest.com/glassblowergal/plus-size-beauty/

Thank you for this opportunity! What amazed me as I was creating this board was how uplifting it was to look through and choose pictures meant to express my own value. Even if I don't win the trip, I am really glad you inspired me (and others) to do this...I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and this year it has been especially bad. However, after completing this "exercise", I am feeling pretty blessed. Thank you! http://pinterest.com/smartgirlchic/celebrating-me/

Thank you so much for such an amazing opportunity! My board celebrates all of the clothes I want but won't buy for myself unless I win the lottery; my 8 year old sweet, sweet boy comes first!!! I did buy the one piece Chevron swimsuit that I pinned from #simplybe. Love, love, love the way it makes me feel! http://pinterest.com/mariahromo12/can-i-have-that-please/

This is a great opportunity. I appreciate your words and your fashion advice that always aims at making us do exactly what you wrote here, celebrate and embrace ourselves! This is the link to my board: http://pinterest.com/alessandrayt/celebrate-you/

Nicolette, I am very excited to enter your contest. It was a wonderful challenge to put together a board that celebrated me. I had so much fun trying to figure out the best way to convey what an incredible journey I've been on the past five years while healing from a catastrophic illness. It's so important for us to celebrate ourselves and our accomplishments because it reminds us how truly precious life is! Blessings to you in the New Year! http://pinterest.com/queeniettcomedy/loving-myself-also-means-loving-my-disability/

LOVED every moment of making this. what and amazing gift and awesome opportunity to see everyone's boards. there are lot of beautiful people out there with lots of lovely things to celebrate. http://pinterest.com/lmwhite8/celebrating-me-vbd/ #celebrateyou

This was so much fun! It made me think about all the things that make me the person I am! Im on a weightloss journey and this was a wonderful brainstorming process. Thank you so much for the opportunity and i hope you like my page :) http://pinterest.com/othellorvt/this-is-me-perfectly-imperfect/

I must thank you for this challenge and exercise. Being given a chance to celebrate oneself instead of scrutinizing and listing what one can/should change is a great and welcome change. I realized as I was going through the process that this was not going to be easy but it really got me thinking about myself and how awesome I actually am. Thank you! http://pinterest.com/marlenanight/embracing-and-celebrating-me/

I just want to thank you for this challenge and exercise. It was a great change of pace to reflect on ourselves instead of creating a list of what we would change. I realized halfway through that this was not a simple task but it was worth it in the end. It reminded me just how awesome I really am. Thank you! http://pinterest.com/marlenanight/embracing-and-celebrating-me/

I'm sorry if this appears more than once but for whatever reason my entry hasn't been loading properly.Thank you for this exercise. It was a great challenge that indeed helped me to remember how awesome I am . http://pinterest.com/marlenanight/embracing-and-celebrating-me/

Simplybe and Nicolette Mason, I would like to thank you for this very nice and thoughtful giveaway. I'm grateful for this opportunity to enter a contest for a trip to New York. I had so much fun creating this broad and what a incredible way for me to celebrate me. I've never been to New York and it will be a dream come true to win and to meet Nicolette Mason. Thank you so much! Here's my board :) http://m.pinterest.com/yomanor/celebrating-and-loving-me/

What an amazing contest! I just so happen to be addicted to both Pinterest AND SImply Be so as you can imagine my heart is going pitter patter over this! This was a great exercise in self expression and love. Thank you so much Nicolette and SImply Be. My "Simply Me, Simply Be" board is at http://pinterest.com/kyelise/simply-me-simply-be/

Nicolette you are very inspiring and I've been a quiet reader for a very long time. I decided to do this just for fun but figured how much of a good reflection this was for me, I went crazy uploading and pinning! I hope that you enjoy my board.

I've always wanted to go to New York as a small town girl, this would be a great opportunity for me, not only that I'd get to meet you.

This is such a great giveaway! I really enjoyed making a board all about celebrating me. If for nothing else, this experience was very healthy for me. It's been awhile since I really did something like this that made me really look within. Thank you for the opportunity!!!! http://m.pinterest.com/nesss24/celebrating-me/

Thank you for this awesome opportunity! I hope I win!!!!!! By if not I totally loved this project. It's been awhile since I've done a self inventory like that. Thank you for considering me!!! http://m.pinterest.com/nesss24/celebrating-me/

I am so excited to make a celebrate me board. I have been working all year to be happy with myself and treat myself will. I would love to win but even if I don't I will be sure to celebrate me. pinterest.com/stitchesbyjeni/celebrate-me/

Nicolette, hey girl hey!!! :) Your confidence and style is impeccable and inspiring. My curvy figure has left me feeling so out of place my whole life. But this year has has been a monumental one towards self-discovery and self revelation. For me this year, I hold nothing back! This year is about body acceptance. I will continue to work hard in becoming a healthier me, but I will also embrace all who I am today: Curvy/Confident/ and Beautiful. It would be awesome if you checked out my board on Pinterest labeled Beautiful CURVES. You are such an amazing influence. Keep doing what you are doing!! Peace & Love! -Hilary K. https://pinterest.com/hilltop/beautiful-curves/

This is an amazing opportunity that I would love to take part in. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable with myself and I would love someone to help me to put the finishing touches on who I am. http://pinterest.com/mrngsangel/this-is-me/

This was a lot of fun to try to put together both things that I like about me and things that I would like to improve for my 30th Birthday in June. I also got some great new ideas of things I would like to try. Thank you for this opportunity. http://pinterest.com/medaley83/melissa-s-fashion/

Just spent my morning making this board for you, Nicolette! I would LOVE a stylist date with you of all people. Making the board was great, too. 2013 is going to be a wondrous year, why waste time! http://pinterest.com/courtneytrouble/celebrating-me-2013/

I cant find my post so Im doing another one just incase. Thanks Simply Be and Nicolette Mason for this fabulous contest. This is such a wonderful idea and way for me to celebrate me. I had a great time doing this and I really appreciate this opportunity that I have to enter this amazing giveaway. I have never been to New York and it would be a dream come true for me to win this contest and to meet you Nicolette Mason. I hope you enjoy my broad. Thank you so much! :) http://m.pinterest.com/yomanor/celebrating-and-loving-me/

Hi Nicolette! I am so excited about the idea of meeting you in New York City! I simply love your personal style. I put together a Pinterest board for you to see. I was sort of odd looking at so many pictures of me, since I am a mom and usually behind the camera. Thanks for taking the time to look at my board and considering me for this fantastic getaway! http://pinterest.com/danaslp/dana-sexton-celebrateyou-nicolettemason-simplybe/

Dear Nicolette,I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity. Lets get real, i probably wont win. But i just wanted to say thank you and simplybe for making this contest. Because in some crazy way it gave me a new sense of confidence. It forced me to look through my pictures and be my own worst critic. It made me really look at who i am. It shinned a whole new light on myself. It may sound crazy, but it truly did. And i wouldn't be surprised if it did the same for other girls. So. Just, thank you.Yours truly,Susan XOXOhttp://pinterest.com/suzzyyy123/i-will-simplybe/

Nicolette and SimplyBe, this was a wonderful contest idea. I'll admit that it took me a long time to make and that my list is relatively short, but the process of making it was wonderful. http://pinterest.com/theplussideofme/celebrating-me/

thank you for doing what you do. i look at girls like you, gabi, chastity and others as leaders and inspirations not only for my journey through self-expression/style, but for truly accepting myself and loving myself no matter what! i had a fabulous time putting together my board which is titled "celebráme" --which in argentine spanish is the command for "celebrate me." through making my board i've not only exposed myself to others celebrating me, but also to myself as a reminder to love and celebrate myself every day. enjoy! ^_^

This is awesome! I used to look at my 53 year old self and think how did I get here? No I simply look at the places iv'e been and the friends and family I love and all the adventures and heartbreaks and loves and think this is exactly how I got here...53 is not so bad. Here's my board. http://pinterest.com/meeshyme/celebrating-me/

I hope I am doing this right! LOL I tyried once but I don't think it worked..... I am a lot of things but one thing I am not is technologically savey! So again I attempt to share with you who I am! Thanks for the opportunity.

Thrilled to be entering this contest... I signed up for Pinterest the night I got the email from Simply Be, my favorite Catalog! I'd say what an awesome way to start out the New Near... reflecting and reminding myself of the good things in my life along with what I cherish about myself. Nicolette, I look forward to seeing what your blog brings into my life, helping me to have a fantastic 2013! Thanks for the opportunity!

Thrilled to be entering thiscontest... I signed up for Pinterest the night I got the email from Simply Be,my favorite Catalog! What an awesome way to start out the New Near... reflecting and reminding myself of the good things in my life along with what I cherish about myself. Nicolette, I look forward to seeing what your blog brings into my life, helping me to have a fantastic 2013! Thanks for the opportunity!

http://pinterest.com/swampfox69/celebrating-me/Sorry if this is the 2nd post... it doesn't look like it went through. How do you do the hash tag?

LOVE THIS! This contest is a creative way to get women to consider themselves! We often go from day to day doing and caring for others. This gives us the opportunity to consider ourselves! It is encouraging and empowering! Keeping my extremities crossed! I surely could use such a treat!!! 2012 was ROUGH for me, but I am determined for 2013 to be the start of me considering ME! Hoping and praying for such a wonderful experience! Good luck to all those who enter!

I LOVE this! Thank you Nicolette for making me stop and think... this year is already full speed ahead and this exercise helped me remember what is fun about my world and ME! So excited for the possibility of winning an opportunity to meet you and win some fabulous Simply Be clothing (they're my fave!)... what a great way to start the year! So without further ado here's my board... http://pinterest.com/hannmarsh/it-s-a-par-tay/

Wow. This is just, wow. Nicolette, thank you for running this and thank you to Simply Be as well. This would be one of those dream-come-true scenarios. All that is missing is a date with Ryan Gosling. Or even better, a date with a veterinarian with Ryan Gosling features. Anyway, here is my board: http://pinterest.com/bookishcait/celebrating-me/

Wow. This is just, wow. Nicolette, thank you for running this and thank you to Simply Be as well. This would be one of those dream-come-true scenarios. All that is missing is a date with Ryan Gosling. Or even better, a date with a veterinarian with Ryan Gosling features. Anyway, here is my board: http://pinterest.com/bookishcait/celebrating-me/

Thanks to you and Simply Be for this incredible opportunity. Thanks for making and promoting high fashion for full figured women! https://pinterest.com/bronxy3210/simply-celebrating-me-as-i-approach-my-40th-year/

Thank You for creating this contest its given me a even more positive perspective view and appreciation I have for myself and the true love I value of ME:) http://m.pinterest.com/humblylivinlife/live-give-love/

I LOVE Simply Be, and this is an amazing contest! I know I'm not the only one who had a rough 2012, so a dose of self-love is just what we need in the new year. I decided to go short and sweet with my board, and here it is - http://pinterest.com/parfae/i-m-having-a-me-party/

J'adore this contest and Simply Be! What a perfect match. At first, it felt a little weird putting up all the things I like about myself up on pinterest - but that feeling quickly went away. This was a ton of fun! And a nice reminder just how many things I like about myself! A perfect pick-me-up. Here's my board - http://pinterest.com/tootallstef/simply-be-celebrating-you/

Reading this blog wasn't just inspiring, it made me take a long at myself. Not the things I that normally don't like, but the good ones that I ignore and don't think about as often as I should. Creating a pintrest is already prooving to be addicting. Seeing all the different images of fashion and beauty is inspiring and makes me want to do more with my own style. Thank you for chance and for your every word that you type because they are helpful and they matter.http://pinterest.com/verypurpleworld/in-powered/

I really enjoyed bringing together pins from all over that were representative of my style, my values, my identity. It's been a while since I skimmed through my boards and I very much enjoyed the opportunity! Thank you! http://pinterest.com/fairervn/celebrating-me/

thank you for this opportunity you are such a inspiration to me :) i love how your so confident and i wish i can be as comfortable in my skin as you are in your :) http://pinterest.com/lahhvee/celebrate-me-3/

Hi, Nicolette! What an awesome contest! It was so much fun celebrating me. I do it quite often by sporting an interesting nail color or hot new shoes. :-) Also, Simply Be is my go-to for the hottest fashion. Very unique...Like me.

I'm so last minute but I HAD to enter this contest! I didn't realize how much stuff I really love about myself because I'm always thinking of what I want to change. Thanks for helping me with that! Here's my board... http://pinterest.com/onlyonemeek/celebrating-me/

I don't know if you have access to my e-mail through this comment but just in case you don't, my e-mail address is kylaelise@gmail.com. I don't know why my photo isn't showing up and my info. It's strange. Anywoo, just in case. Thanks again! Take care, Kyla

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In looking for my comment below I found it never posted! Not that I would wish someone to lose out on this opportunity after winning...but if they can't make it I TOTALLY can...I'd have to spaz out a bit first but consider my bags packed!

At any rate this is an amazing contest and prize package...not to mention the awesome pairing of yourself and Simply Be!

Images may not be downloaded, manipulated, or reproduced without prior written permission from Nicolette Mason. Commercial or private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and punishable through US and worldwide copyright laws; this applies to all creative elements, including photography, graphics, and written content.